Today’s banking watchword is simplicity. As ludicrous as it may have sounded a couple of years ago, the difference between three taps and two has become significant, and is getting more important every day. But what if there were no taps?

I've always been a bit of a tech geek, but had resisted buying the Amazon Echo, mainly because of my wife's ridicule. Spurred by an encounter at a recent conference, however, I decided it was time to bite the bullet. And now, having played with the Echo for a couple of weeks, I can see that its implications for banking will be profound. No longer is there the necessity to even click when you want to interact with Echo. You simply say “Alexa” to wake it up, and then ask what you want. I'm currently able to access my music library, ask what the weather is, and make general knowledge queries (e.g., how far is it from Boston to Atlanta).

While it’s early days yet, and there is a lot that Alexa doesn't yet know how to do, it is inevitable that its functionality will continue to grow. Capital One is the first and currently only bank to integrate with Alexa, but I’m very curious to see who’s next and how fast this phenomenon will grow. Asking my balance is easy and seamless.

Being very honest, I initially pooh-poohed the utility of voice interaction, but now that I've gotten a taste of it, I (and likely many more) want the full meal. I already can ask Alexa my bank balance. Soon I’ll schedule my utility bill for $220 for next Thursday (since Capital One isn’t my main bank I haven’t fully explored its capabilities on Echo).

The Amazon Echo is a vision of the next step on the road to complete seamlessness and ambient responsiveness. While today Echo may not be that much more than a toy, its implications are profound. Sure I could click on Weather Underground, but asking Alexa the forecast takes virtually no effort and doesn’t require lifting my fingers from the keyboard. I can see the pathetic elements here, but still: I want the same thing with my financial life.